This will probably be the longest entry in this series. I didn't intend for it to get this long, it just kind of did. There's a lot of filler, I guess. I apologize for any errors or inconsistencies as I was going back and forth editing things and changing things, so I may have created errors by trying to fix others or because I decided to change details I had already written days before.
I have not given up on my other series if anyone is wondering. I may release a new part for that sometime in the nearish future.
I love to read your comments and thoughts on this series or my other one. I'm open to ideas and feedback. Thanks!
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Mason glanced up from the last bites of his burger from his second favorite place to grab dinner, a restaurant with a bar a few blocks from the house he rented, when the door opened and light flashed across his face from the streetlight outside along with a gust of cold air that gave him the chills as it passed through his still slightly wet hair from the shower he'd taken before coming here.
A beautiful woman walked in and looked around the bar before briefly meeting eyes with Mason, smiling, and walking toward the opposite end of the bar.
Mason finished off his burger and coke, he didn't drink much alcohol, he only came here for the burgers, before pulling out his phone and settling back in his chair to read the new web novels he'd recently started. This was his routine whenever he ate out here or at the diner he preferred. He would eat, then sit back and browse his phone and chat with Lucy whenever she had a free moment if he was at the diner.
He was reading the new chapter released earlier that day for his current favorite when he heard a soft voice beside him.
"Hi."
When Mason looked up, his automatic response of, "Hello," caught in his throat.
The woman looked to be a few years older than his 23 years, somewhere between 25 and 28, he was horrible at judging age. What caused his voice to catch was how incredibly beautiful she was. When she walked in she had been wearing a coat that covered her figure. She'd taken it off since and Mason could clearly see her figure.
She was about 5'5 or 5'6 and wore a thin, purple sweater that hugged her large breasts and flat tummy. It had a neckline that blunged low and exposed plenty of cleavage. She wore skin-tight black jeans that clung to her obviously toned thighs and wide hips. They must have been some of that denim and stretchy material mixture that looked like regular jeans but almost seemed to be painted on. She wore plain white sneakers.
Mason cleared his throat as he sat up straight in his chair and turned to her.
"Hello," he said again, more clearly, hoping she wasn't offended at how long he'd taken to respond properly. Mason knew he hadn't exactly ogled her, but he knew women didn't typically miss the quick 'up/down' look men often gave them.
"I'm Lucia. I noticed you reading something on your phone and I was curious about it. You seemed to be enjoying it. Mind if I ask what you're reading?"
She had the type of accent that Mason always thought sounded super sexy. He'd had a professor once that had an accent from somewhere in South America, he couldn't remember where now, but he'd always thought it was so attractive. It was like when a character in a movie from Mexico or Colombia or somewhere similar was very intelligent, but English clearly wasn't their first language. The character would be very articulate and have perfect grammar, but spoke with a slight accent.
"Sure," Mason said. "It's a web novel I just started. A new chapter was released today and I was catching up before I head back home for the night. I'm Mason, by the way."
"Hi, Mason," she said with a pleased smile.
Mason smiled back before he turned his phone around to show her the site he was reading from.
A large smile lit her face and Mason was struck again with just how beautiful she was. She had very large brown eyes that glinted with pleasure. He couldn't tell if she wore lipstick or if her plump lips were naturally that incredible shade of red.
"I thought that was Regal Roadway! I admit, when I walked behind you earlier I glimpsed at your phone and I thought I recognized it. Which one are you reading?" Lucia asked enthusiastically.
"Uhh..." Mason stalled. He was so surprised that she even knew about Regal Roadway that he'd forgotten the name of the story he was reading. He didn't know anyone that used Regal Roadway except for Lucy and he was the one that had told her about it.
"Uh, it's called Super Skilled. It's about a guy that wants to become a superhero, but he doesn't have any powers at first. It-" Mason was cut off by an exclamation from Lucia.
"There's a new chapter out?" She asked excitedly. She dashed back to her end of the bar and gathered up her things and brought them over to the chair next to Mason.
"Is it ok if I sit with you?" She asked.
"Of course," Mason replied.
She set her things down on the chair beside her as she sat and pulled out her phone.
"I don't remember getting any emails about new chapters, but I guess I could have swiped it away on accident," Lucia said absently as she tapped at her phone.
"Ah! I guess I did," She held up her phone and Mason saw an email notifying her that there was a new chapter of Super Skilled available.
"Well, there's one thing you have to look forward to later tonight. It's a really good chapter. Did you recently start it or have you been following it from the beginning?" Mason asked.
"At least one thing," Lucia said, smiling. "Since near the beginning," she continued. "A close friend told me about it when chapter two had been released and I've been reading it since. We usually talk about it at work."
"Well, he's got good taste so far," Mason said with a smile, not sure of what to make of her first comment.
"Yes. He's a dear friend and I always love the stories and novels he recommends."
Mason wasn't sure what to say to that. The conversation quickly turned to talk about her apparent 'dear friend' that was another guy. He didn't really mind, but it seemed weird to approach a man at a bar and chat him up only to talk about another guy. He decided to keep his expectations low and keep the conversation friendly.
"How are you liking the story so far?" He asked.
"I love it! It's so unique and creative, though the power system with all the skills and traits and stuff can be kind of confusing sometimes," she admitted.
"I agree. Sometimes I just kind of power through it when I'm feeling a bit confused by the system the author created. I don't mind, everything else is so interesting and creative that it easily makes up for it. What else do you like to read?"
"Oh, I'm big on horror and fantasy. I like sci-fi too, but the hard sci-fi stuff can be a bit stuffy sometimes," she said.
"I hear that," Mason agreed. "I'm a big horror, fantasy, and sci-fi geek myself if that wasn't already apparent," Mason said, only slightly self-consciously.
"They really are the best genres. I'll take those over anything else every time," Lucia said. She leaned an elbow on the bar and turned toward him. She placed her head in her hand under her hair and her other hand flat between her thighs as she crossed her legs. Her shoulder-length brunette hair cascaded down around her arm as she leaned on it. It seemed like a solid sheet of silky milk chocolate, thick and shiny when the light hit it just right. It was a relaxed pose, one you settle into for a long conversation.
She kept the conversation going by asking him about his favorite books in each genre. They had a lot in common there too. She'd read an incredible amount, more than him, it seemed. He was beginning to scrape the bottom of the barrel of books she might like that she hadn't already read before she changed the topic to movies.
Before he knew it two hours had passed and it was nearly time for the restaurant to close down.
Mason glanced around and noticed there was only one other person in the bar area and the barkeeper as well as the waiters were eyeing all three of them.
Before Mason could even think of a way to keep the night going with Lucia she said, "Wow, it's later than I expected. Time flies when you're having fun, huh?"
"You're telling me. I'm not usually here this late and I think the staff is ready to clean up and get home."
"I don't know about you, but I took a rideshare here from work, though I only live a few blocks away toward Steakley Park," she said. She seemed to be holding her breath, waiting for him to speak next.
"Hmm, I live in that direction too," said Mason, thoughts of Lucy making him hesitate before continuing "Can I walk you home?" He held his breath, almost hoping she said no before she answered.
She gave him a wide, beautiful smile and said, "Yes, please! I don't often get to talk about my favorite books. I don't know many people that like to read as much as I do."
As they stood Lucia gave him the ole 'up and down' that he was guilty of giving her two hours earlier. Her smile turned knowing and maybe a little mischievous, but Mason pretended not to notice. Mason was a little under six feet tall with broad shoulders. He had a physique that wasn't bulky but muscled enough to be attractive to most people. He went to the gym regularly and he didn't have any close friends in town that he hung out with, so he put most of his free time into working out, reading, watching movies, and bugging Lucy at the diner.
Thinking of Lucy caused another pang of guilt. He'd had a thing for her for nearly a year, since just after he moved to town. He'd never dared to ask her out even though she sometimes flirted with him. Every time he'd nearly plucked up the courage to do so she seemed to sense it and derail his intention, almost by happenstance, before he could manifest it. After a time he decided it would be best to just stay friends since, if he was reading her right, that was the vibe she was giving off. She was very beautiful too, so he was sure she had men asking after her all the time.
They left the restaurant and headed towards the park in the chill night, still talking and laughing about their favorite books and movies. He noticed Lucia seemed to want to keep the conversation on light topics and Mason was happy to oblige.
After walking a couple of blocks Mason pointed at the diner he frequented, "Ever been there?"
Lucia glanced over and seemed to hesitate for a moment before saying, "No. I haven't. Any good?"
"Oh, yeah.
Great
burgers. Their jalapeño burger is so good," Mason said. After a guilty thought about Lucy, he said, "The staff is great too." He really didn't know why he felt so guilty. Lucy didn't seem to be seriously interested in him romantically and he knew it was wrong to expect it from her or even hold himself back in hopes something would happen.
Why the fuck do I feel guilty? She doesn't want me, right?
He glanced over at Lucia and noticed she was looking at him with a soft, caring expression on her features.
"Maybe we can grab lunch there sometime," she said, turning her eyes back to the road.
"Yeah, definitely," he agreed, feeling a thrill of excitement that he might see her again.
They turned their conversation to music for the next couple of blocks and at some point, he wasn't sure when, Lucia had taken his arm with hers. She was walking very close to him with her right hand in his and her left hand high up on his biceps. Mason had always found this kind of hand-holding very intimate. Something about a woman holding his hand and arm with both of hers was a very feminine and intimate thing to do. This kind of contact caused her to have to turn slightly toward him while walking, showing that all of her attention was on him. He loved it.
A street over from the diner they came to the one Mason lived on.
"I live down this one," he pointed out, gesturing to the left with his head. "I rent a house about half a block down."
"Oh, yeah?... Would you like to show me?"
